“I talked to Erik about it, and he took it well,” Porter said. “He understood the decision, and like I said to him, he’s not a guy that I’ll get up and sit back down. When he gets up [in the bullpen], I’m going to get him up and get him in the game. I understand where he’s at his in his career, but I do believe that he can really help us in a multitude of roles.

“His strikeouts are up and he’s a guy you can bring in if you find a pocket with some lefties that it may be the back end of a game situation, or it may be a long situation where we have a lead going into the sixth inning, kind of like we did Opening Day, and can set up the closer.”

Porter added the club will take advantage of Monday’s off today to keep starters Jordan Lyles, Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell on four days rest. The team is expected to announce Friday’s starter against the Rangers later in the week.